Tableware Kit for Babies

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses an easy open and close, multifunctional tableware kit for babies, which includes an upper cover, a middle layer board and a lower cover which are mechanically coupled to a transverse axis such that each of them can be turned around the axis. The middle layer, fittingly placed between the upper and the lower covers, is a single piece of uneven board wherein the upper side facing to the upper cover has a continuous concaved space fittingly for a baby fork and a baby spoon being snapped-in, and wherein the middle layer&#39;s lower side facing to the lower cover has a continuous concaved space fittingly for a pair of baby scissors being snapped-in.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to the provisional Appl. Ser.No. 61/825,199 filed on May 20, 2013, the entire content of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to toolboxes. More particularly,this invention is related to a multifunctional tableware kit for babies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many kinds of tableware for babies and various differenttableware kits in the market. However, there is no one that provides theuser with convenience and various capacities for the purpose of takingcare of babies' needs.

The present invention discloses a novel, easy to open and close, andmultifunctional tableware kit for babies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The kit according to the first preferred embodiment of this inventionincludes an upper cover, a middle layer and a lower cover which aremechanically coupled to a transverse axis such that each of them can beturned around the axis.

The upper cover and the lower cover can be identical or slightlydifferent. The shape of covers constitutes the shape of the kit's body,which can be elliptical, half-circle, etc. Each cover has a transparentarea such that the items snapped in the middle layer can be seen withoutopening the cover.

The middle layer is fittingly placed between the upper and the lowercovers. The middle layer is a single piece of uneven board wherein thefirst side facing to the upper cover provides a continuous concavedspace fittingly for a baby fork and a baby spoon to be snapped-in, andwherein the second side facing to the lower cover provides a continuousconcaved space fittingly for a pair of baby scissors to be snapped-in.In addition, the middle layer board has a cut-out gap constituting ahollow space on the edge opposite to the axis, such that the user mayturn the middle layer board using a finger or thumb.

The upper and lower covers are occluded by magnetic pieces. There arevarious arrangements of the magnetic pieces. For example, the magnet isembedded in the edge, opposite to the axis, of the middle layer board,and each of the upper and the lower covers has a piece of metal embeddedin a place which is vertically close to, or overlaps the housing of themagnet. For another example, the magnet is embedded in one of thecovers, a piece of metal or another piece of magnet is embedded onanother cover, and the middle layer board has no magnet or metal piece,such that the middle layer board is squeezed by the two covers.

In the second embodiment, the tableware kit is functionally similar tothe first preferred embodiment except that the kit is in a semi-circleshape or D shape. The lower cover provides an uneven inner space facingto the upper cover and provides a continuous concaved inner spacefittingly for a baby fork and a baby spoon to be snapped-in. The innerspace is divided by a wall into two sections which can be used forplacing food. On the wall there are two grooves for holding the fork andspoon. The lower part's back side is flat and smooth. The upper andlower covers are occluded by magnetic pieces. In use, when the tablewarekit is fully open, the upper cover and the lower cover constitutes abeautiful full tray.

In the third preferred embodiment, the tableware kit is functionallysimilar to the second preferred embodiment except that the lower coveralso includes a space for holding a pair of scissors on its backside andan additional cover to cover the scissors. The upper and lower coversare occluded by magnetic pieces. In use, when the tableware kit is fullyopen, the upper cover and the lower cover constitutes a beautiful fulltray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of thetableware kit with its upper cover open.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of the tablewarekit with its upper cover open.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a bottom view of thetableware kit with its lower cover open.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of the tablewarekit of FIG. 1 with the covers closed.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a bottom view of thetableware kit of FIG. 1 with the covers closed.

FIG. 6 is schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of thesecond preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is schematic diagram illustrating a separate perspective view ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is schematic diagram illustrating the two covers being coupledtogether via two pairs of magnets.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an optional feature accordingto the third preferred embodiment.

FIG. 10 is schematic diagram illustrating a bendable spoon which isplaced in the tableware kit according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms,designs or configurations, for the purpose of promoting an understandingof the principles of the invention, references will be made to theembodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will beused to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that nolimitation or restriction of the scope of the invention is therebyintended. Any alterations and further implementations of the principlesof the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normallyoccur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Allexamples given are for clarification only, and are not intended to limitthe scope of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, which illustrates a perspective view of the firstpreferred embodiment of the present invention, the tableware kitincludes an upper cover 11, a middle layer 13 fittingly placed on alower cover 15. The upper cover 11, the middle layer 13, and the lowercover 15 which are mechanically coupled to a transverse axis 12 suchthat each of them can be turned flexibly around the axis 12. The middlelayer 13 provides a continuous concaved inner space 14 for holding aspoon 16 and a fork 17. The middle layer 13 may also optionally includea semi-circle gap 18 inserting a finger to turn or open the middle layer13. There is a magnet 19 in the upper cover 11 which may be coupled tothe magnet 20 in the middle layer 13.

The upper cover 11 and the lower cover 15 can be identical or slightlydifferent. The shape of covers constitutes the shape of the tablewarekit's body, which can be oval as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, half-circle,etc. Each cover may have a transparent area such that the items that aresnapped in the middle layer 13 can be seen without opening the cover.

Referring to FIG. 2 which illustrates a top view of the tableware kitwith its upper cover 11 open, the middle layer 13 is fittingly placed inthe lower cover 15. The middle layer 13 is a single piece of unevenboard wherein the first side facing to the upper cover 11 provides acontinuous concaved space 14 fittingly for a baby fork 17 and a babyspoon 16 to be snapped-in. The area 19 between the fork and spoon ispreferably at the same plane of the middle layer 13's upper surface. Asdescribed above, the magnet 10 on the upper cover 11 can be coupled tothe magnet 20 in the middle layer 13.

Now referring to FIG. 3 which illustrates a bottom view of the tablewarekit with its lower cover 15 open, the middle layer 13 is fittinglyplaced in the lower cover 11. The second side of the middle layer 13,which faces to the lower cover 15, provides a continuous concaved space33 fittingly for a pair of baby scissors 35 to be snapped-in. The magnet30 on the lower cover 15 can be coupled to the magnet 20 on the middlelayer 13. As described above, the middle layer board 13 may optionallyhas a cut-out gap 18 constituting a hollow space on the edge opposite tothe axis 12, such that the user may turn the middle layer board 13 byinserting a finger or a thumb in the hollow space.

The upper and lower covers 11/15 are occluded by magnetic pieces. Thereare various arrangements of the magnetic pieces for snap-couplingpurpose.

In a typical arrangement, the magnet 20 is embedded in the edge,opposite to the axis 12, of the middle layer board 13, and each of theupper and the lower covers 11/15 has a piece of metal embedded in aplace which is vertically close to, or overlays, the housing of themagnet 13. When the covers are closed, the metal piece 10 embedded inthe upper cover 11 and the metal piece 30 embedded in the lower cover 15are attracted to the magnet 20 embedded in the middle layer board 13.

In another arrangement, the magnet is embedded in one of the covers, apiece of metal or another piece of magnet is embedded in another cover,and the middle layer board has no magnet or metal piece. In this case,the middle payer board is nipped or squeezed by the upper and lowercovers due to the magnetic force from the covers.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of the tablewarekit of FIG. 1 with the covers closed. The magnets 10, 20 and 30 arecoupled together. Because the top cover is transparent, the fold 17,spoon 16, and the small gap 18 are visible.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a bottom view of thetableware kit of FIG. 1 with the covers closed. The magnets 30, 20 and10 are coupled together. Because the lower cover is transparent, thescissors 35 and the small gap 18 are visible.

FIG. 6 is schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of thesecond preferred embodiment of the present invention. The tableware kitaccording to this embodiment is functionally similar to the designs asillustrated above except that the tableware kit is in a semi-circleshape or semi-elliptical shape or “D” shape when the two covers areclosed. In use, when the tableware kit is fully open, the upper coverand the lower cover are in a same plane and constitute a beautifyfull-circle tray.

The upper cover 40 and lower cover 41 of the tableware kit may beidentical or slightly different. The upper cover 40 and the lower 41 canbe coupled together via a first pair of magnets 51 and 52, and a secondpair of magnets 53 and 54 and constitute a tray as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 7 is schematic diagram illustrating a separate perspective view ofFIG. 6. The inner space of the lower cover 41 is divided into twosections 48 and 49 by a wall 45.

The wall 45 includes a first snap-in groove 47 and a second snap-ingroove 46, which can fittingly hold a fork 77 and a spoon 76.

FIG. 8 is schematic diagram illustrating the two covers being coupledtogether via two pairs of magnets. In use, the spoon and the fork areremoved from the snap-in grooves 46/47. The inner space 60 of the uppercover 40 can be used for containing baby food. Similarly, the firstinner space 49 and the second inner space 48 can also be used holdingbaby food.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an optional feature accordingto the third preferred embodiment. This third embodiment is similar tothe second embodiment except that the backside of the lower cover 41includes a concaved space 67 for holding a pair scissors 75. Thescissors is covered by a cover 65 which can be operably attached to thelower cover 41.

FIG. 10 is schematic diagram illustrating a bendable spoon which isplaced in the tableware kit according to the present invention. Thespoon can be bent or adjusted by the neck 70.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated in detail, the skilled artisan will appreciate thatmodifications and adoptions to those embodiments may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present invention as setforth in the following claims.

1. A tableware kit for babies, comprising an upper cover, a middle layerand a lower cover which are mechanically coupled to a transverse axissuch that each of them can be turned around said axis, wherein saidmiddle layer is a single piece of uneven member being fittingly placedbetween said upper cover and said lower cover, wherein said middlelayer's upper side upper side, facing to said upper cover, has acontinuous concaved space fittingly for a baby fork and a baby spoonbeing snapped-in, and wherein said middle layer's lower side, facing tosaid lower cover, has a continuous concaved space fittingly for a pairof baby scissors being snapped-in.
 2. The tableware kit of claim 1,wherein said upper cover, said middle layer board and said lower coverare elliptical.
 3. The tableware kit of claim 1, wherein each of saidupper cover, said middle layer board and said lower cover has anembedded magnet, said magnets being located on said axis' opposite andbeing aligned vertically such that when said kit is closed, said uppercover, said middle layer board and said lower cover are kept together bysaid magnets.
 4. The tableware kit of claim 1, wherein said middle layerhas a semi-circle gap for opening convenience.
 5. A tableware kit forbabies, comprising an upper cover and a body mechanically coupledtogether, wherein said body comprises a single piece of uneven memberand a bottom cover, said uneven member's upper side facing said uppercover and its lower side facing said bottom cover, wherein said unevenmember's upper side has a continuous concaved space fittingly for a babyfork and a baby spoon being snapped-in, wherein said uneven member'slower side has a continuous concaved space fittingly for a pair of babyscissors being snapped-in, and wherein said upper cover and said bodycan be horizontally coupled side by side to constitute a plate.
 6. Thetableware kit of claim 1, wherein said upper cover, said upper cover andsaid body are semi elliptical or semi circle or in a “D” shape.
 7. Thetableware kit of claim 1, wherein each of said upper cover and bodycover has a pair of embedded magnets on its straight side, wherein whensaid upper cover and said body are horizontally coupled, said magnetsbeing aligned horizontally such that said upper cover and said body arekept together by said magnets.